Thursday, March 29, 2007

Rock, the Cops and a Breach (Movie Reviews)

I Think I Love My Wife (R) 90 minutes B+

Starring Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Gina Torres, Steve Buscemi, Edward Herrmann, Welker White, Samantha Ivers, and Michael K. Williams

I Think I Love My Wife is an adaptation of the 1972 film Chloe in the Afternoon. Co-written, directed and produced by Chris Rock, Wife is an interesting and impressive venture.

Rock plays Richard Cooper, a successful investment banker with a beautiful wife, and wonderful children. Richard loves his wife but the lack of sex is putting a tremendous strain on their relationship. Couples therapy doesn't seem to be helping as Richard slips deeper and deeper into his fantasy world/daydreams of being single, meeting hot chicks, and having mind blowing sex.

At his most vulnerable point temptation enters Richard's world in the form of Nikki Tru (Kerry Washington). Eight years ago Nikki was his best friend's girl, and now she back in town and in need of a friendly face. Nikki would be kryptonite for any married man, and ultimately Richard must choose fantasy or reality, his head or his heart.

Reno 911!: Miami (R) 84 minutes F

Starring Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney, Niecy Nash, Mary Birdsong, Cedric Yarbrough, and Danny DeVito

My friends and I could have directed this film. There was so much potential for the characters to be funny, but it just comes off as dumb and really stupid. This is like a really bad SNL skit that goes on for 84 minutes. I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the cleavage, the nudity and a couple of penis and butt jokes, I would've walked out of this film. Terrible.

Breach PG-13 110 minutes B-

Starring Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Caroline Dhavernas, Gary Cole, Dennis Haysbert, Kathleen Quinlan, and Bruce Davison

This one was a slow starter but it eventually builds momentum and becomes a pretty good suspense/thriller.

Based on true events, Breach is the story of a young FBI agent-in-training (Ryan Phillippe) who gets the opportunity to take the next step in becoming an agent, but first he must bring down an FBI operative whose been spying for the Russians and selling our secrets for 22 years.

A strong film, good acting.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

No Depression

Today was an emotional roller coaster. I was feeling sorry for myself, pensive and questioning my every thought. I felt insignificant and invisible.

At lunch I decided to buy a pick me up. I bought Whiskeytown- Pneumonia, their much acclaimed final album. I absolutely love Faithless Street and Stranger's Almanac, and Pneumonia completes the Whiskeytown discography. Sit & Listen to the Rain is my favorite track right now but that will probably change after a few more listens.

After work I met up with the boys for a round of golf. As soon as I got there Mike handed me a cold beer and all the day's stress was forgotten. It was so nice to be with good friends, playing golf and having a couple cold ones. Sometimes I lose focus of all the small victories when my head is so full of negativity.

I'll never be Cheerful Chuck, Positive Pete or Happy Harry, but I suppose I should stop and smell the roses more often.


Sunday, March 25, 2007

The Shins, Peyton Manning & Fiber Choice

I'm a little under whelmed by the Shins new album- Wincing the Night Away. After 3 or 4 listens, it feels like a very "safe" (and slightly boring) album. Maybe it's going to take awhile to sink in...?

Kudos to Peyton Manning. He was great on SNL last night; it was the best SNL I've seen in a long long time. Tom Brady sucked when he was on SNL. Manning actually seems like he can act a little bit. He appears to be such an upstanding guy, and they totally exploited that last night.

Manning might be the second or third greatest quarterback I've seen during my lifetime (Joe Montana being number one). The Colts are already under the radar despite being Superbowl champions. San Diego is the odds on favorite for next season, but I think getting rid of Schottenheimer will hurt their chances. Imagine how hungry Marty would be going into next season. The Chargers would have a chip on their shoulders and something to prove. Now they have to start over under a new regime.

I bought some strawberry fiber choice today, a sugar free weight management fiber supplement. I wonder if it will help curb my cravings as advertised. With me, food is love. I think about food all the time. I love eating. Most days I eagerly anticipate breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sometimes I binge after work like a savage beast. I'm already thinking about what I'm going to eat for breakfast tomorrow.

Good Night

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Movie Reviews...?

Hello everyone,

Recently I've been contemplating whether or not to continue doing movie reviews. Work, school, and other distractions have kept me away from the local cineplex. Perhaps it is time for me to focus on writing for publication...?

After attending the Sundance film festival this year I was definitely inspired to write about film, but it never manifested out of my head and onto paper. I seem to be struggling to get over my mental road blocks. Hopefully this blog will motivate me to write everyday and help me break through this mental constipation.

In the meantime, check out the new blog. It's a work in progress- look for new changes periodically.

Excluding the films I saw at Sundance, here's a few films I have seen so far this year...

The Last King of Scotland (R) 121 minutes B
This film is beautiful, tragic and disturbing. Based on the award-winning novel by Giles Foden.

Catch and Release (PG-13) 124 minutes B-
A charming romantic comedy filmed in Boulder.

Zodiac (R) 156 minutes C+
A cryptic crime drama, an all star male cast, interesting film...but damn it seemed long!